Apparatus for curling hair



Dec. .2 7, 1960 R. v. BROTHERS APPARATUS FOR CRLING HAIR Filed Aug. 19, 1957 INVENTOR.

www l United States Patent O APPARATUS FOR CURLING HAIR Richard V. Brothers, 8887 Sierra, Fontana, Calif.

vFiled Aug. 19, 1957, Ser. No. 678,996

8 Claims. (Cl. 132-4123) rLrlhis invention relates to an apparatus andmethod for curling hair, and constitutes a modication of the apparatus disclosed in my Patent No. 2,600,730, issued June 17., 1952 for Hair Curling Device, and in my co-pending method patent application Serial Number 510,560, led May 29, 1955 for a Method of Forming Hair Curls, now Patent No. 2,805,672, issued September 10,1957.

The above-cited patent and patent application disclose the broad concept of wrapping curls or human hair by lirst forming a relatively large curl at the base of a lock or tress, that is to say near the scalp, and then forming successively smaller curls or voiutions inside the larger curl until the hair ends are disposed at the center portion of the curl. During formation of the smaller curls or volutions inside the first-formed curl, the outer portion of the tress or lock of hair is drawn longitudinally or axially of the rst-formed curl and between the teeth of a comb, so that a continuous combing action results to maintain the natural distribution of the hair.

In the invention as described in the above-citedrpatent application and patent, the various volutions in each curl are in continuous surface contact with each other. This ,results in a perfect curl which is greatly superior to curls made by other methods and apparatus. However, -in situations where the hair is to be treated, with liquids or the like, after formation of the curl it is necessary to employ a mandrel in order to prevent the curl from being ruined. One such mandrel is illustrated inthe above-cited patent. According to one feature of the `present invention, a strip of thin and flexible material is wound between the Volutions of each curl and serves to maintain the curl in perfect condition during treating operations, without the necessity of employing a mandrel.

,In view of the above and other factors characteristic of hair curling apparatus and methods of the type indicated, it is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods for forming rst an outer hair volution and then successively smaller hair volutions within said outer volution and in such manner that a thin sheet of exible or pliable material is wound between the individual volutions to result in a convolute having alternate layers of hair and pliable sheet.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus adapted to wrap hair by rst forming a relatively large curl adjacent the scalp land then combing successively smaller curls inside said large curl until the hair ends are disposed at the curl center portion.

Another object is to provide a novel method of forming a hair convolute having alternate layers of combed hair and thin pliable material.

Another object is to provide a hair curling apparatus having roller means thereon and adapted to roll inside the curls of hair.

A further object is to provide a hair curling apparatus in which the effective diameter of the curling tube may be reduced after'formation of a curl and `in order to facilitate removal of the completed curl from the kdevice Without the necessity of a reversing operation.

ICC

These .and other objects and advantages of the inven- A-tion will be more yfully` set forth-in the following specification and claims,considered in connection with the at- .tached drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure .l is anelevational view illustrating the casing means in open condition and the combing means in ex tended condition;

Figure 2 is .a View corresponding to the left portion of Figure 1but .showing the casing means closed against a vloclcortress of hair, and also showing the combing means in its inner position after drawing of the hair into the casing means;

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse section taken on vline 3.-3 `of Figure 2, and illustrating the condition of the components immediately after closing .and latching o f the casing means, prior to forming of the irst curl volution;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal section taken on line 4,-.-4 of Figure 3, portions being broken out;

Figure 5 is a schematic View corresponding to Figure 3 but illustrating the condition of the hair and pliable sheet after initial steps in the curl Wrapping operation; and

Figure 6 corresponds to Figure 5 but illustrates the condition of the component after completion of the wrapping operation.

Referring to the drawing, the apparatus is illustrated to comprise a curling means 1i), combing means 11, casing and bearing means 12, and means 13 for associating the curl with pliable or flexible material.

The curling means 101is illustrated to comprise an elongated tube having a .longitudinal slot 16 therein adapted to slidably receive the combing Ameans 11. The tube is also provided with four other circumferentially spaced longitudinal slots each of which is adapted to receive Va freely rotatable roller 17 having a portion which protrudes above the tube in order to facilitate turning of the curling means 10 inside` previously formed volutioris of hair. Three of the rollers 17 are mounted in the tube .at iiXed radial positions, for example bymeans of reduced axially extending portions 1S (Figure 4) which are suitably journaled in the tube. The remaining roller 17 is .mounted at its ends in bearings 18a secured on leaf springs 19 (Figure 3) which are adapted to bias the roller to the radially outwardly extended position illustrated in Figure 3. After complete wrapping of the curl, as will be .described hereinafter, the roller 17 on leaf springs 19 is vadapted to ,be shifted to va radially inwardly seated position, in the tube slot associated therewith, so that the curl may be readily slid ol the end of the curling means 10. :Such a shifting of the roller to its inner lposition is effected by pressing the thumb against a thumb rest 21 (Figure 3) at one end ofthe roller, and by locking a latchor lock 22 (Figure 4)l over the bearing 18a and leaf spring 19 at Ithe other end of the roller.

The combing means 11 comprises an elongated, relatively narrow comb adapted to iit directly below the slot 16 in curling tube 10, theedge portions of the comb being lapped beneath and in engagement with the interior sur- Vface ofthe tube 10 atthe slot 16. The comb hasa base 23 ldisposed below one edge or side of the slotv 16, and teeth 24 extending to points below the other edge or side yf the slot 16. At -one end of the comb `is provided a nasales nected to each other by hinge means indicated at 28 (Figure 3). The hinge means are mounted on one arm 29 of 'a U-shaped'connector having a second arm 31, the base of the U-shaped connector being unshown. Arm 31 extends to a bracket 34 which connects xedly to a bearing element 32, the latter being mounted around curling tube in spaced relation from the wing elements 27. Bearing element 32 is split in order to permit passage of the comb mounting or slide means 26 therepast when desired.

lt will be understood that the bearing element 32 permits rotation of the curling tube 10 therein, vaxial shifting of the curling tube being prevented by projecting elements 33 which are mounted on the curling tube at opposite sides of the journal element. The wing elementsv 27, however, do not rotate with the curling tube 10 since they are held by the operator during rotation of tube 10. The

bearing element 32 and the wing elements 27 are thus substantially iixed in position relative to each other, except during opening of the wing elements 27 about hinge means 28. The curling tube 10 rotates in the casing and bearing means 12 during the Wrapping operation to be described hereinafter.

Provided at the longitudinal edges of Wing elements 27,

`remote from hinge means 28, are rubber clamping strips 36 which are held in place by mounting strips 37. When the Vcasing means 12 is in the closed position shown in Figures 2 and 3, the rubber strips 36 clamp against a vby thev catch or clamp element 39.

The means 13 for associating the hair curl with exible or pliable material is illustrated to comprise two components, the rst of which is a single turn or cylinder 41 of rubber or other suitable elastomeric or plastic material. The edges of turn 41 are associated with the opposed edges of wing elements 27, being illustrated as seated tightly beneath the. clamping strips 36. Referring to Figure 3, the rubber cylinder 41 is illustrated as being passed rather tightly around the curling means 10 and material wound thereon, and serves the purpose of maintaining the outer or large volution in the lock or tress in good condition during wrapping of subsequent volutions. The rubber turn 41 is particularly adapted to be employed in situations where there is no second component of the means 13.

The second component or part of theA means 13 for associating the curl with exible or pliable material comprises a winding and feeding roll 42 adapted to have wound thereon a strip 43 of thin pliable material, such as a suitable plastic. lIt is preferred that the plastic strip be of a relatively unstretchable type, such as cellophane, in

' order that it will not tend to lose its shape during the hair wrapping operation. Furthermore, the strip 43 should be perforated, as illustrated, in order to permit penetra` tion of hair curling solutions after the curl has been formed. The strip may also be formed of certain types of paper or the like, whichwill absorb hair treating solution and thus aid in application thereof.

The Winding and feeding roll 42 is disposed radially inwardly of one of the rollers 17 adjacent the base 23 of combing means 11, being journaled (Figure 4) in suitable ears 44 provided on the interior wall of curling tube 10. Slots 46 are provided in the roll 42 to permit threading of the strips 43 therethrough, it being understood that the roll and slots extend for the length of wing elements 27. A handle 47 is connected to one end of roll 42 and extends to the end of curling tube lremote from the wing elements 27. The handle projects from tube 10 and is YFigures l and 2 (clockwise in Figure 3).

4 adapted to be turned in order to rotate the roll 42 and thus wind the strip 43 thereon.

Operation It is to be understood that apparatus of the present type may be employed either right-handed or left-handed, and with either direction of rotation. In the following description, however, it will be assumed that the apparatus is to be employed by a right-handed person, and that the direction of rotation is toward the operator or counterclockwise as viewed from the right in Figure l (clockwise in Figure 3).

The method will first be described in situations where no strip or sheet 43 is employed. Referring lrst to Figure 1, the Wing elements 27 are pivoted to the illustrated open position, and the combing means 11 is shifted to its outer position by sliding the mounting or slide means 26 to the left. A single lock or tress of hair is then combed by the teeth 24 of combing means 11, in order to insure that there are no snarls throughout the full length of the lock or tress. The comb 11 is then disposed relatively adjacent the scalp andfin the base of the lock or tress, such base (near the scalp) being indicated at 48 in the drawing.

The combing means 11 is then shifted to its inner position, by sliding the mounting or slide means 26 with the thumb or the like, and at the same time the curling tube 10 is moved to the left so that the base portion of the lock or tress extends through the slot 16 and through the teeth 24 of the combing means as illustrated in Figure 3. The

portion of the lock or tress inside the curling tube 10 then extends axially of the apparatus, and the end portion (numbered 49) of the lock or tress extends out the left end of the apparatus as viewed in Figure 2.

The wings 27 are then pivoted together to cause the rubber strips 36 to clamp tightly against the base portion 48 of the lock, the projecting element 38 of the latching means then extending through the lock or tress for connection to the latch 39. Such tight clamping of the base portion of the lock of hair means that it is impossible to cause pain or injury to the subject as a result of the winding operation next to be described.

The closed wing elements 27 are then held in the left hand of the operator, and the right end of curling tube 10 is rotated by the right hand of the operator and in the counterclockwise direction as viewed from the right in Such winding of the curling tube 10 causes the hair to feed between the comb teeth 24 and form curls or volutions around the curling tube, it being emphasized that the natural distribution of the hair is maintained by the comb teeth 24.

The lirst-formed volution is directly beneath and in contact with the cylinder 41 of rubber orV the like, and is held by such cylinder 41 against displacement. The second and subsequent volutions (one volution or curl for each revolution of curling tube 10) are then formed inside of the lirst-formed volution. This operation continues, with the rollers 17 facilitating turning of the curling tube 10, until the end 49 of the lock or tress feeds between the comb teeth and is nested inside the previously formed volutions.

The latching means 38 and 39 is then disengaged and the wing elements 27 are pivoted apart, after which suitable bobby pins or the like are mounted through the curl to prevent it from losing its shape. Thereafter, the roller `17 on leaf springs 19 is pressed inwardly, by means of thumb rest 21, and is latched in its inner position by means of the latch or lock 22. The curl may then be readily slid ott of the curling tube, after which a suitable mandrel is positioned in the curl to cause it to hold its shape during subsequent treating operations such as with waving solution.

Proceeding next to a description of the method in which the pliable strip 43 is employed, and the necessity for a mandrel eliminated, the parts are again put in their initial positions as shown in Figure l. One end of the thin Yplastic strip 43 is then threaded Vdownwardly through 1a roller slotV in curling tube 10, such slot being the one disposed radially outwardly from the winding and feeding Vroll 42 and adjacent the comb base. The inserted end, Vwhich is one the Vside of the roller 17 adjacent comb base 23, is then inserted into one of the slots 46 in roll 42. The handle 47 is then rotated, preferably counter clockwise as viewed from the right in Figure l, to result in winding ofthe strip 43 on the roll 42. The strip is not wound completely on roll 42, however, a substantial portion thereof being permitted to project upwardly as illustrated in Figure l.

The curling tube is then rotated one revolution .counterclockwise, as viewed 'from the right in Figure 1, to cause the projecting portion of strip 43 to be wrapped `oncearound the curling tube 10. The tress or lock of hair is then combed by the comb means 11, and the comb is shifted inwardly to draw the tress into the slot 16 as described above. The wing elements 27 of the casing means 12'are then closed, causing projecting element 38 ofthe latching means to extend both through the base "portion of the tress and through a suitable opening in the plastic "strip 43. Thecatch or clamp 39 is then closed on the element 38 to clamp the parts inthe position illustrated in Figures .Zand `3. The outer end of the plastic strip 43 and the base 48 of the tress or lock are thus tightly-clamped between rubber strips 36, and the first turn ,ofthe strip 43 (on the exterior of the curling tubel) is disposeddirectly beneath and in contact with the cylinder 41 of rubber. In this connection, it `is to be understood that with the described method the fcylinder141 of rubber may be eliminated, since the Aiirst turn of the plastic strip 43 performs somewhat the same function.

Casing elements 27 are then held with the left hand as before, and the right end of curling tube 10 (Figure l) is grasped by the right hand in is rotated counterclockwise as viewed from the right in Figures l and 2 (clockwise in Figure 3). Such rotation produces the combined eifect of drawing the tress or lock through the comb teeth 24, and unwinding the strip 43 from the winding and feeding roll 42. Thus, as the curling tube 1l) rotates counterclockwise (as viewed from the right in Figures l and 2), the strip 43 is unrolled from the roll 42 at the same time the strands of hair are fed between the comb teeth 24 and around the curling tube 10.

In the mid-portion of the operation, and as shown in the schematic Figure 5, there are alternate layers of hair and plastic 43 while the hair ends 49 are still extending from the end of the curling tube. At the end of the operation, shown in the schematic Figure 6, the hair ends 49 have been completely drawn through the comb teeth and all of the plastic strip 43 has been unrolled from the roll 42 and is disposed on the curling tube 10.

The roller 17 on leaf springs 19 is then moved inwardly and latched as before, and the convolute comprising the hair curl and plastic curls is slipped off of the curling tube and secured in position by means of bobby pins or the like. Because of the presence of the plastic strip 43, there is no necessity for a mandrel. As previously stated, the perforations in the plastic strip permit treating of the hair by means of a waving solution.

References, in the specification and claims, to the comb means 11 being shifted into curling means 10 shall be construed to apply to operations where the comb means is held stationary and the curling means is shifted thereover. The former situation may occur where the device is initially applied to the mid-portion of a lock of hair, whereas the latter situation occurs where the device is applied to the base of the lock (near the scalp).

Various embodiments of the present invention, in addition to what has been illustrated and described in detail, may be employed without departing from the Scope of the accompanying claims.

6 I 'claimt l. VA hair curling device, which comprises Yelongated curling rod means having a longitudinal passage therein,

a plurality of freely rotatable rollers journalled longitudinally Aof .said lcurling rod means and having outer peripheral portions disposed above the surface `of said curling rod means, slot means provided longitudinally in said curling rod means between two adjacentrollers and extending inwardly tosaid passage,comb means mounted llongitudinally of and adjacent said slot means for movement longitudinally of said .curling rod means kbetween an outerlongitudinal position adapted to eifect combing of a lock or tress of hair andan inner longitudinal position adapted -to draw the base portion of said lock or tress into said slot means to thus cause the outer Vor end portion of said lock ortress to `extend through said passage and out one end of said 'curlingrodmeana the teeth of Asaid comb means extending Vacross said slot, and casing means disposed aroundsaid curling rod means and adapted to clamp the base yof said lock or tress of hair.

2. A hair'curling device,`which comprises an-elongated curling tube `having a longitudinal vslot therein, comb Ymeans slidably mounted longitudinally on said tube adjacent said vslot and movable between an 'outer axially extended position -adapted'to comb a llock or tress of hair and an inner position adapted to draw the portion of said lock or tress adjacent the scalp into said slot, whereby the outer portion of said lock or tress remote from the scalp is. disposed in the central passage in said curling tube and at one end of .said curling tube, casing meansad-apted to clamp the base portion'of said lock or tress radially outwardly from said curling tube, and a thin pliable elastomeric or plastic cylinder mounted in said casing means and around said curling tube in order to maintain the tirst-fonned volution of hair inthe desired condition during formation of subsequent volutions inwardly or interiorly thereof.

3. Hair curling apparatus adapted to form a curl in a lock or tress of human hair, which comprises means to form initially a volution in the base of said lock and at a point relatively adjacent the scalp, means to comb continuously the remainder of said lock or tress and feed said remainder of said lock or tress longitudinally into said first-formed volution and to create subsequent and progressively smaller volutions inside of said first-formed volution until the end of said lock or tress is nested at the center of said volutions, and means operable simultaneously with formation of said volutions to feed a thin strip of flexible material between the individual volutions to thus provide a convolute having alternate layers of h-air and flexible strip.

4. Apparatus for curling hair, which comprises an elongated generally tubular element having an internal passage substantially free of obstructing objects and sufiiciently large in size to freely and non-bindingly receive a lock of human hair, slot means formed longitudinally in said tubular element and communicating directly and freely with said internal passage, at least one end of said slot means extending clear to one end of said tubular element, and comb means movably mounted on said tubular element longitudinally thereof and movable longitudinally of said tubular element between a retracted postion and an axially extended position projecting outwardly from said one end of said tubular element, the teeth of said comb means being disposed to dr-aw the outer portions of a lock of hair into said internal passage upon shifting of said comb means from said extended position to said retracted position, a portion of said lock relatively adjacent the scalp moving longitu-A dinally into said slot means through said one end thereof.

5. Apparatus for curling hair, which comprises an elongated generally tubular element having an internal passage substantially free of obstructing objects and suf-V a lock of human hair, slot means formed longitudinally in said tubular element and communicating directly and freely with said internal passage, at least one end of said slot means extending clear to one end of said tubular element, and comb means movably mounted on said tubular element longitudinally thereof and movable longitudinally of said tubular element between a retracted postion and an axially extended position projecting outwardly from said one end of said tubular element, the teeth of said comb means being disposed to draw the outer portions of a lock of hair into said internal passage upon shifting of said comb means from said ex- -tended position to said retracted position, a portion of said lock relatively adjacent the scalp moving longitudinally into said slot means through said one end thereof, said teeth of said comb means being disposed across and adjacent said slot means when said comb means is in said retracted position so that said outer portions of said lock may be fed radially through said teeth and said slot means upon rotation of said tube.

6. The invention as claimed in claim 5, in which said comb means is disposed in said internal passage adjacent said slot means when in said retracted position.

7. A hair curling device, comprising an elongated element having -a longitudinal passage therein suiiciently large in size to freely receive a lock of human hair, said element having a longitudinal slot extending clear to at least on end thereof and communicating with said passage, said slot being suiciently wide to freely receive said lock when said lock is in spread condition, a plurality of relatively narrow elongated friction-reducing means provided longitudinally and exteriorly on said element .and spaced therearound for wrapping of a curl on said friction-reducing means, and elongated comb means slidably and non-rotatably mounted on said element longitudinally thereof and slidable longitudinally of said element between a retracted position and an axially extended position projecting outwardly from said one end of said element, the teeth of said comb means being disposed to draw the outer portions of a lock of hair longitudinally into said passage upon shifting of said comb means from said extended position to said retracted position, a portion of said lock relatively adjacent the scalp moving longitudinally into said slot through the open end thereof and into lapped relationsihp relative to said frictionreducing means, whereby rotation of said element causes feeding of said outer lock portions longitudinally of said passage and then radially through said comb means and slot for inwardly-spiralling wrapping on said frictionreducing means.

8. The invention as claimed in claim 7, in which said element and friction-reducing means are resiliently associated to permit radial inward movement of said frictionreducing means as wrapping progresses and when it is desired to shift the resulting finished curl longitudinally olf-said element.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSV 1,994,099 Fulton Mar. l2, 1935 2,225,454 Kayn Dec. 17, 1940 2,285,144 Bregou June 2, 1942 2,608,977 Trippler Sept. 2, 1952 2,871,865 Anderson Peb. 3, 1959 UNITED STATES' PATENT OFFICE y 'CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,966,158 December 27, 1960 Richard V. Brothers It is hereby certified Jhet error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Perbentv should reed as 'corrected below.

Column 7, line 8, for Hlooston" read position line 28, ior "on" read one Signed and sealed this 26th day of September 1961.

` (SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDEB. DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer l Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DCl 

